Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park Waterfront Elevator to Open August 14

Connection will advance revitalization of the Poughkeepsie Waterfront

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Walkway Over the Hudson organization today announced that a new 21-story elevator connecting the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park to the Poughkeepsie waterfront will open to the public at 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 14.

“We’re excited to welcome the public to this long-awaited feature of Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park,” said Rose Harvey, Commissioner of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. “The waterfront elevator is yet another feat in Governor Cuomo’s effort to promote tourism and outdoor recreation in New York State, and it will encourage the Walkway’s many visitors to stay longer and explore more of the region’s plentiful parks, trails and waterfront.”

“Much like the Walkway itself, the Walkway Waterfront Elevator is a tribute to collaboration and perseverance,” said Elizabeth Waldstein-Hart, Walkway Over the Hudson Executive Director. “We have worked closely with our partners at New York State Parks, the Department of Transportation, Central Hudson, the City of Poughkeepsie, the Dyson Foundation and many others to see this visionary project through to completion. And, much like the Walkway, this elevator will provide exciting new connections and possibilities for the people of the Hudson Valley and New York State.”

The waterfront elevator provides a direct connection from the elevated park to the Hudson River shoreline, including Waryas Park and the new Upper Landing Park; will facilitate tourism by providing more direct access to the Poughkeepsie train station; and will provide easier access for persons with disabilities to the park near the center of the bridge. The $2.8 million construction project is funded primarily by a $2.4 million federal Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) grant and other grants secured by the not-for-profit Walkway Over the Hudson friends group.

The new facility underscores Governor Cuomo’s commitment to improving State Parks and expanding access to outdoor recreation. The Governor included a third round of $90 million in New York Works funding for improvements to parks and historic sites in the 2014-15 State Budget. Launched by the Governor in 2012, New York Works is advancing repair and improvement projects at 109 State parks and historic sites across the State.

A former railroad bridge completed in 1889, Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park opened in 2009 and is now visited by over 700,000 people a year. A 2012 study found that spending by Walkway visitors generated nearly $24 million in sales and supported 383 jobs in Dutchess and Ulster counties.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation maintains and operates 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 60 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.